Hair curlers



m March 8, 1960 1-. 5. LUBORE HAIR CURLERS Filed June 2, 1958 a.) ill .1

I N VEN TOR. Tangy 6f ZaZare BY A TTORNE Y United States Patent HAIRCURLERS Terry S. Lubore, West Hyattsville, Md.

Application June 2, 1958, Serial No. 739,248

11 Claims. (Cl. 132-41) This invention relates to improvements in haircurlers, and more particularly to curlers used to impart a permanentcurl or wave inhuman hair.

While some human hair is naturally wavy, it is well known that manypeople have hair which lacks a wavelike form. Many people, especiallywomen, prefer to have hair which has a wavelike form, as it enhancestheir beauty. 7

' There are many processes known for imparting a permament wave to hair.Most of such processes have the following features in common: (1) smallstrands of hair are separately coiled about a curler; (2) while socoiled they are wetted by a suitable cold waving solution applied to theouter coils of the hair; and (3) after the waving solution has beeneffective for a desired length oftime, a neutralizing solution isapplied. In this process the outer layers of the coil, which is thatportion of the hair strand nearest the scalp, receives a more thoroughimpregnation than the inner layers near the curler and thereby receivesa tighter curl. This is exactlythe reverse of the desired effect, sincea more pleasing wave is produced when the outer portions of the hairstrand receive the tighter curl.

In this operation it is almost impossible to thoroughly saturate thecoils of hair without Wetting the scalp with the waving solution andeven having the solution dripping into the face of the subject. This isundesirable since the solutions are usually irritating to the skin andunpleasant or even dangerous in the eyes, nose or mouth.

An improved method has been devised in which a capsule containing hairwaving solution is inserted into the hollow curler, which is broken whena hair retaining member, adapted to hold the coil of hair in positionaround the curler, is placed into position. This method suffers from thedisadvantage that the treatment of each strand of hair is initiated whencurled, and consequently each coil of hair is given a difierent periodof treatment by the solution.

Another method has been devised in which the waving solution is carriedin the body of the curler, and which is released by breaking the curlerwhich releases the solution. While this method permits an equal lengthof treatment for each coil of hair, the curlers are destroyed to releasethe solution and cannot be reused.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome thesedisadvantages, in providing a curler which may be repeatedly used, andwhich permits substantially the same period of treatment for each coilof hair.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hair curler inwhich a frangible or pierceable capsule may be inserted within a cage inthe curler, either before or after winding the hair in a coil, which maybe broken to saturate the hair, and the broken capsule may be removedand a new capsule inserted without disturbing the hair retaining means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hair curler inwhich a capsule may be broken within the 2,927,589 Patented Mar. 8, 1960coil of hair in order to impregnate the hair with a waving solution,removed, and replaced by another capsule containing a neutralizingsolution, which is also broken, all without disturbing the hairretaining means.

Iit is a further object of the invention to provide a cage within thehair curler which is adapted to receive, for breaking therein, capsulesor containers of different length, permitting the application or smalleror larger applications of hair waving solution or neutralizing solutionto each coil of hair wound on the curler.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a curler havingflexible portions which are adapted to be flexed to break a container ofhair treating solution with-' in the curler.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a curler havingflexible portions carrying container breaking means, which may fractureand/or pierce the walls of a container containing a hair treatingsolution within the curler.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hair curlerwhich may be used by inexperienced persons to provide a wave which iscomparable to that of a professional.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as thedescription of the invention proceeds.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made tothe accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters areused to designate similar parts; and in which Fig. 1 shows one form ofthe invention in side elevation, with the parts in open position;

Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 4 as viewed from the right;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. .1 showing the retainer barmember in its closed and locked position; Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showing the retainer barmember in flexed position to break the container carrying the hairtreating solution;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a modification in side elevation;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the modification of Fig. 8 taken on theline 9-9 thereof;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of another modification in side elevation;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the modification of Fig. 10 taken on theline 11-11 thereof;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view of still another modification in sideelevation;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the 12 taken on the line 13-13 thereof;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of a modification of a locking means forthe hair retainer bar member pelrnitting the insertion and removal of acontainer for hair treating solution;

Fig. 15 is an end view of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of another modification of a locking meansfor the hair retainer bar member permitting the insertion and removal ofa container for hair treating solution; and

Fig. 17 is an end view of Fig. 16. p In the description which follows,the term breaking, with reference to the capsule or container of hairtreating modification of Fig.

or a piercing of the Wall to solution.

Referring to the modification shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the curlercomprises a body member 2!) about which a strand of hair is intended tobe coiled, and a retainer bar member 22. The retainer bar member 22 isswivelly connected at 24 to the body member, which permits a strand ofhair to be coiled about the body member, after which the coil of hair isheld from uncoiling by locking the retain bar member in closed positionas shown in Fig. 4. For this purpose the retainer bar member is providedwith a locking lug 3d. a i

The body member 2% comprises a pair of end members 26 and 28 which areheld in spaced relation by a plurality of laterally flexible spaced bars36. While four bars are shown, it is obvious that a greater or lessernumber may be used. The end member 26 is solid in construction, andprovides a supporting member for the swivelled end of the retainer barmember'22. The end member 28 is provided with an axially extendingopening 40 which communicates with the space between the spaced bars 3tIt is thus seen that the spaced bars 30 and end members 26 and 28provide a cage for the reception of a container 44 of hair treatingsolution 45. One end of this cage is closed by the end member 26, whilethe other end of the cage is open at 49 for receiving and withdrawingthe container 441.

The free end of the retainer bar member 22 is provided with a bifurcatedflange 36, each leg of which carries a locking lug 34. These lockinglugs engage recesses 38 in the end member 28. As clearly shown in Fig.2, the recesses 38 are arranged in parallel pairs on opposite sides ofthe opening 40, whereby the opening 40 is always'unobstructed when theretainer bar member is locked to permit the delivery and withdrawal of acon tainer 44 of hair treating solution.

The container 44 is in the form of an elongated capsule, filled with ahair treating solution 45, which may be either a hair waving solution ora neutralizing solution. One end of the container is provided with a tab46 which extends through the opening 40 to a position in which it can bereadily grasped to withdraw the broken container.

' The retainer bar member 22 is provided with a plurality of spacedbreaking members 42 directed toward the body member 20. The outer endsof the spaced breaking members 42 are pointed, for a purpose to be setforth hereafter. The recesses 38 in the end member 28 are positionedrelative to the spaced rods 30 in such a manner that the spaced breakingmembers 42 may pass through the spaces formed between the rods 30whenthe retainer bar member 22 is clamped or locked in hair retainingposition (Figs. 4, and 6).

The spaced rods 30 are provided, on their outer surfaces, with aplurality of small, spaced, pointed members 32 for maintaining thecoiled strand of hair spread about the body member to assure a tightcurl. I

The body member 29 and the hair retainer bar member 22 of the curler aremade of a material having inherent flexible characteristics, such aswood or plastic. The container 44 is made of a frangible material suchas glass or plastic, having characteristics which encourage breaking inlong lines rather than shattering in small pieces. It may also be madeof a shatterable material, if desired, in which case it would beenclosed within a porous, non-permeable, sleeve, such as nylon. Thecontainer may also be made of a non-shatterable material which may bepunctured at a number of places to release the contents.

The spacing of the rods 30 and their flexible characteristics are suchas to form a cage of slightly smaller cross section than that of thecontainer 44, so that when the container is inserted into the cage, itis frictionally held therein, but may be removed with but slight eflort.The spaced members 42, hereinafter termed the breaking points, are madeof such length that, when the retainer-bar member 22 occupies its hairretaining position 3 2 31 5 9 I g x l V as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, theouter ends thereof contact, without sufiicient pressure to break, thewall of the container 44.

The operation is as follows: The retainer bar member 22 is swung to oneside and a strand of hair is coiled about the body member 2b, as shownin Fig. 4, after which the retainer bar member is brought into its hairretaining position and locked in place by forcing the lugs 34 into therecesses 38;. The bifurcated flange 36 is resilient in order for thelugs to pass over the end 28 and to resiliently hold the lugs in theirrecesses. This process is repeated with other strands of hair until allof the hair, or so much thereof as is desired to be curled, is in placearound the curlers. The containers 44 may be inserted through theopenings 49 either before or after the strands of hair are coiledthereon. Containers having a waving solution are first inserted. Whenthe curling or coiling operation is completed, the capsules may bebroken by flexing the retainer bar member 22, as shown in Fig. 6, bygrasping the body member 20 and the re tainer bar member 22 between thefingers and thumb and in applying sufficient pressure to fracture thecontainer if a frangible container is used, or to pierce the containerwall at a plurality of points if a puncturable container is used, asshown in Figs. 6 and 7. If a puncturable container is employed, it iswithin the scope of this invention to provide points on the breakingmembers having ribs or other means thereon which will not interfere withthe free outflow of the solution. All of the containers are broken, oneimmediately after the other, whereby the solution will escape from thecapsules or containers about the same time to thoroughly saturate thecoils of hair. If the container is punctured, the curler may be orientedto facilitate the escape of the solution by gravity. The wavingtreatment for all of the coils of hair is thereby initiated at the sametime, so that it is easy to time the duration to assure a sufficientlength of treatment to produce the desired wave for the entire head ofhair. Having broken the capsules or containers and having allowedsufficient time to drain the contents thereof, the empty containers canreadily and quickly be removed by grasping the tabs 46 and Withdrawingthem through the openings 46, without interfering with the locking ofthe hair retainer bar member 22. Other containers having a neutralizingsolution therein can immediately be inserted through the openings 40.When the coils of hair have undergone the treatment by the wavingsolution for the required length of time, such solution may be rinsedwith water as preferred, and the capsules containing the neutralizingsolution may then be broken, which will release such solution within thecoiled hair.

The invention may also be practiced by using containers having both awaving solution and neutralizing solution therein.

Containers having different lengths, containing diiferent quantities ofwaving solution or neutralizing solution, may be employed for treatmentof hair requiring more or less solution, or in cases where differentthicknesses of strands are coiled.

I In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a plurality of breakingmeans are carried by one or more of the bars 30. As illustrated, each ofthe bars 30 is provided with a plurality of breaking means 50 in theform of pointed members extending inwardly into the cage, which are ofsuch length that they engage, with but slight frictional force, the wallof a container 44, which force is sufficient to retain the containeragainst axial movement but is insuflicient to break it. Thismodification operates similarly to that shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and thecontainer is broken by applying a crushing force against the bars 30sufficient to break the container 44.

In the modification shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the con tainer is carriedby the retainer bar member, and the ek n mr carried by t banishin iesthis purpose the retainer bar member 22 is provided with several pairsof opposed clamping lugs 54, made integral with the retainer bar member,and serving, with the bar member, to form recesses having surroundingwalls which engage and retain the container 44 between the bar and thebody member when the retainer bar member is in its locked position. Eachrod 30 is provided with a plurality of spaced, pointed, breaking means52 which extend outwardly to engage a wall of the container 44 when theretainer bar member is locked, as shown in Fig. 10. In this form of theinvention, the recesses 38, which lockingly receive the lugs 34, arelocated in such a position that a rod 30 is directly aligned with theretainer bar member 22 when the lugs 34 enter the recesses, with thepoints on the breaking means 52 in light engagement with the container44. Like the other modifications, the container is broken by forcing theflexible retainer bar member 22 and the flexible rods 30 toward eachother. In order to replace a container 44, the retainer bar member isunlocked and slightly opened, whereupon the broken container may beremoved and replaced by a new container.

In the modification shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the retainer bar member 22is provided with an elongated recess 68 on the inner side thereof facingthe body member 66, adapted to receive a container 44. An elongatedresilient clip 56, having its ends reversely bowed as shown at 55 and57, holds the container 44 within" the recess 68. The bowed end 57 issecured to the retainer bar member as by riveting at 58. The other bowedend 55 is provided with a hook 61 adapted to engage a lug 62 on the endof the retainer bar member. The free end of the resilient clip 56 has acatch 63 thereon adapted to be engaged by a finger nail to release thehook 61 from the lug 62. The mid portion of the resilient clip 56 has aplurality of projections or breaking points 64 extending therefromtoward the retainer bar member which engage the wall of the container 44with insufficient force to break the container, when the resilient clipis locked.

In the operation of this modification, the capsule or container 44 isinserted in the recess 68 and the resilient clip 56 is locked inposition by pressing the bowed end 55 toward the retainer bar member 22so that the hook 61 slips over the lug 62, which operation brings thebreaking points 64 into contact with the wall of the container 44. Astrand of hair is then coiled about the body member 66, as in the othermodifications, after which the retainer bar member 22 is locked inposition by forcing the lug 34 on the end 36 to engage one of therecesses 38. The container is broken by applying pressure against theretainer bar member, which releases the hair treating solution 45,permitting it to flow downward and saturate the coil of hair. In orderto remove the broken container, the retainer bar member 22 is unlocked,and by engaging the catch 63 with the finger nail, the hook 61 can beremoved from the lug 62. A new container can be quickly slipped in placeafter the broken container is removed, and the resilient clip againlocked closed. This modification differs from the formerly describedmodifications in that the hair treatment solution is applied to theouter part of the coiled hair instead of within the coils.

A modified form of the free end of the retainer bar member 22 is shownin Figs. 14 and 15. This modification shows the retainer bar member asbeing provided with a flange 70 of sufficient length to cover the end 28of the body member. The outer end of the flange is provided with a lug74 extending transversely of the flange and directed toward the end 28to engage a selected recess 76 of a plurality of recesses on the end 28.An opening 72 extends through the flange 70 and is positioned to becoaxial with opening 40 in the end portion 28 when the lug 74 is lockedin the recess 76, so as to permit the insertion and removal of acontainer.

Figs. 16 and 17 show another modification of the locking means for theretainer bar member. In this form of the invention the flange 70' isrelatively short, so that its extremity 78 does not extend over theopening 40, permitting an uninterrupted insertion and removal of thecontainer 44.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a novel hair curler has beendescribed which permits the application of measured quantities of hairtreating solution to coiled strands of hair, and in which all containersmay be broken at about the same time, permitting an equal length oftreatment for each coil of hair, thus assuring a more uniform wave ofhair on all parts of the head.

It is to be understood that while several forms of the invention havebeen disclosed, other modifications are readily apparent within thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A curling rod comprising: an elongated body member adapted to receivea coil of hair; an elongated retainer bar member; each member havingmeans on one end pivotally mounting the retainer bar member on one endof the body member, and having means on the other end releasably lockingthe retainer bar member to the body member in closed position; at leastone of said members having laterally flexible characteristics; meanscarried by one of said members for removably receiving an elongatedbreakable container of hair treating solution having a side wall and endwalls; and breaking means carried by said laterally flexible memberbetween said ends and projecting laterally thereof, said breaking meanshaving a length sufficient to contact, but not break, the side wall ofthe container between the ends thereof when the retainer bar member isin locked position.

2. A curling rod as recited in claim 1, in which the means for removablyreceiving an elongated breakable container of hair treating solution iscarried by the retainer bar member, and the laterally projectingbreaking means is carried by the body member.

3. A curling rod comprising: an elongated body member adapted to receivea coil of hair; an elongated retainer bar member; each member havingcooperating means in one end pivotally mounting the retainer bar member,and having cooperating means on the other end releasably locking theretainer bar member in a closed position to the body member; said bodymember being hollow and having an unrestricted opening at all timesthrough one end thereof through which an elongated breakable containerof hair treating solution may be inserted and removed when the retainerbar member is in its locked position; one of said members havinglaterally flexible characteristics; and breaking means carried by saidlaterally flexible member between the ends thereof and projectinglaterally thereof, said breaking means having a length suflicient tocontact, but not break, the side wall of the container between the endsthereof when the retainer bar member is in locked position.

4. A curling rod as recited in claim 3, in which the breaking means arecarried by the body member.

5. A curling rod adapted to receive a coil of hair, comprising: anelongated body member, said body member being hollow to removablyreceive a breakable container of hair treating solution, and having anopening in a side wall thereof; an elongated retainer bar member havingflexible characteristics; each member having cooperating means on oneend pivotally mounting the retainer bar member, and having cooperatingmeans on the other end releasably locking the retainer bar member to thebody member in closed position; said retainer bar member having, betweenthe ends thereof, breaking means projecting into the opening in the bodymember when the retainer bar member is in its locked position, saidbreaking means having a projecting length sufiicient to contact, but notbreak, the side wall of the conaga n tainer between the ends thereofwhen the retainer bar member is in its locked position. 4

A curling'rod as recited'in claim 5, in which the body member includes apair of end members separated by spaced ribs forming the opening in theside wall. 7. A curling rod as recited in claim 5, in which the hollowbody member has an unrestricted opening at all times through one endthereof, through which the container may be inserted and Withdrawn whenthe retainer bar is in locked position.

i 8. A curling rod as recited in claim 7, in which the unrestrictedopening is through the end having the lock ing means. a V

9. A curling rod as recited in claim 8, in which the locking means onthe end of the retainer bar member includes a bifurcated flangestraddling the unrestricted opening in the body member when the retainerbar member is in locked position.

- 10. A curling rod as recitedv in:clain1 8 in which thelockingmeansfontheend of the retainer bar member includes a flangehaving an opening the'rethrough in a position to align with theunrestricted opening in the body member when the retainer bar member isin locked position. i

11. A curling rod as recited in claim 8, in which the locking means onthe end of the retainer bar member includes a flange which, in lockedposition, is too short to restrict the unrestricted opening of the bodymember.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES' PATENTS 2,202,146 Gee May 28, 1940 2,604,893 Hoipo July 29, 1952 2,613,679 VaughnOct. 14, 1952 2,747,585 Allen May 29 1956

